South Fork Trinity River

South Fork Trinity River
South Fork Trinity River at the Highway 299 bridge
Map of the Trinity River watershed with the South Fork extending south from the mainstem; watershed highlighted in yellow
Location
Country	United States
State	California
Region	Klamath Mountains, Humboldt County, Trinity County
Physical characteristics
Source	Chicago Spring
• location	North Yolla Bolly Mountains, Trinity County
• coordinates	40°09′24″N 122°59′18″W / 40.15667°N 122.98833°W / 40.15667; -122.98833
• elevation	5,921 ft (1,805 m)
Mouth	Trinity River
• location	Salyer, Trinity County
• coordinates	40°53′23″N 122°36′08″W / 40.88972°N 122.60222°W / 40.88972; -122.60222
• elevation	446 ft (136 m)
Length	92 mi (148 km)
Basin size	980 sq mi (2,500 km2)
Discharge
• location	Salyer
• average	1,807 cu ft/s (51.2 m3/s)
• minimum	35 cu ft/s (0.99 m3/s)
• maximum	95,400 cu ft/s (2,700 m3/s)
Basin features
Tributaries
• right	East Fork South Fork Trinity River, Hayfork Creek
National Wild and Scenic River
Designated	January 19, 1981

The South Fork Trinity River is the main tributary of the Trinity River, in the northern part of the U.S. state of California.^[1] It is part of the Klamath River drainage basin. It flows generally northwest from its source in the Klamath Mountains, 92 miles (148 km) through Humboldt and Trinity Counties, to join the Trinity near Salyer. The main tributaries are Hayfork Creek and the East Fork South Fork Trinity River.^[2] The river has no major dams or diversions, and is designated Wild and Scenic for its entire length.

One of the largest undammed river systems in California, the South Fork drains a rugged, remote watershed of 980 square miles (2,500 km²). The large areas of intact habitat are important for several endangered species and rare plants. Historically, the South Fork watershed was known for its prodigious anadromous fish population and dense old-growth forests. During the mid-20th century, the river channel was heavily damaged by major flooding, which was exacerbated by erosion caused by mining, logging and ranching. Decades later the South Fork is still considered in the process of recovery.^[3]